BIBLICAL STUDIES STUDY GUIDE

Final Exam / Prof. Michael Andres

NEW TESTAMENT

What is the NT?  How many books?  What types of writings are in the NT?  Under what circumstances and for what purpose were the NT books written?  When were the NT books written?  Who wrote the NT books?

NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT OF OLD TESTAMENT

What is the continuing problem in covenant history?  Which two great realities clashed?

How did the prophets respond to this continuing problem?

How does Matthew 1-4 (esp. ch. 1) address the problem in covenant history?

What does the genealogy contribute to the biblical story and the solution to the covenant problem?  Know how the genealogy is structured and why it is significant.  What does the genealogy tell us about Jesus Christ (e.g. Jewish, real human, Son of David, completion of OT preparation, etc.)?  Know some specific names mentioned in the genealogy and why it is significant that they are placed there. 

Where is Jesus born, when, what were the circumstances, who were his parents (where are they from)?

What is important about Joseph's dream?  Know the biblical reference for this passage and details about its contents.  What is a significant literary feature of this passage (inclusio) and why is it significant?  Know relevance of Holy Spirit, significance of the names for this child (Jesus and Immanuel), and how Joseph might have reacted to the news of this child.

In what ways do Mat. chapt.s 2-7 signal the identity of Jesus Christ?  Specify connections with OT themes and references.

What are the OT covenants and what promises are related to them?  What do the OT prophets say about the new covenant?  How (in what ways) is Jesus related to the new covenant?  How does Christ fulfill previous covenants and Immanuel Principle?  Be specific and know relevant biblical passages (book and chapter).

THE EARTHLY LIFE OF JESUS

Define:  Gospels, gospel, synoptics, kerygma.  Identify some extra-biblical evidence for the life of Jesus Christ (Josephus, Tacitus).  Indicate something about the reliability, inspiration, and canon of the NT.  What is the Codex Sinaiticus?  What is the synoptic problem?  Describe the four-source and Griesbach theories.  Specify the following features of the Gospel of Mark:  literary features, historical context, author, dates events occurred, date written, place of writing, audience, etc.  Indicate the outline and purpose of Mark.  Describe Jesus' earthly ministry, what claims does he make, how does he reveal his identity, explain "Son of God", be prepared to specify and explain certain key events in the ministry of Jesus, specify several miracles of Jesus and their meaning and significance.  What is the key turning point in Jesus' ministry (before the crucifixion):  where is it (why is this important), who is involved, why is it significant, how does it affect the rest of the story?  Which verse serves as a thesis statement for Mark?  What does it mean?

Explain the significance of Christ's death.  How does it relate to the literary structure of Mark?  Be able to recount the events of Christ's last week in Jerusalem!!  Know what he did and why on each day (e.g. Sat., Sun., Mon., etc.).  What is the triumphal entry (place, biblical ref., OT ref., significance, etc.)?  Why does Jesus cleanse the temple?  Relate the passover and "last supper" to the meaning of Christ's death?  How does this event illumine a Christian understanding of the Lord's Supper (or Communion)?  Describe and explain the events of Christ's arrest and trial.  Who are the persons involved (e.g. Sanhedrin, Ciaphas, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, etc.?  What is the meaning of Christ's death by crucifixion?  Be specific, clear, detailed, and give biblical ref.s!!  Define and explain:  crucifixion, sacrifice, substitution, atonement.

Explain the significance of Christ's resurrection.  Describe details of the resurrection event.  What is some key historical evidence for the resurrection? Describe the characteristics of the resurrection body.  What is the theological significance of the resurrection (e.g. Christ as Messiah, Christ's work of atonement, the "firstfruits" of Messianic age, etc.)?

THE BOOK OF ACTS

Authorship, relation to Gospel of Luke, purpose of Acts, date events occurred, date written, characteristics and importance, historical value, literary features, structure/outline, etc.

What is the ascension?  What does Jesus do between the resurrection and ascension?  What is the relation between:  Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the church?  Describe the event called Pentecost?  What, according to Peter, is its significance?  What is new about the Spirit's presence at Pentecost?  What are some effects of the Holy Spirits outpouring at Pentecost?  Explain some of the themes of Peter's sermon.  What are some of the longer-term outcomes of Pentecost (e.g. apostle's teaching, fellowship, sharing of possessions, growth, etc.)  What kind of conflict the earliest church encounter?  Specify and describe some

key events in the churches early proclamation in Jerusalem.

Describe and explain some key events in the church's proclamation to greater Judea and Samaria.  What is the perspective of Acts 8-12 and how does it differ from Acts 1-7?  Be prepared to name several minor figures, unbelievers, and major figures in Acts 8-12, and explain their significance (e.g. Philip, the Ethiopian Eunuch, Cornelius, Peter, Simon the Sorcerer, Saul).  What is the meaning of Peter's strange vision telling him to "kill and eat" four-legged creatures?  Why is the Cornelius event significant?  Why were sociological/racial issues so important and difficult for the early church?  How does the gospel speak to this issue?  With this in mind, what significance is there for contemporary believers?

Describe and explain some of the events in the church's proclamation to "the ends of the earth."  Who is the principle character (person) in Acts 13-28?  How many missionary journeys does he have and where does he go?  Why are these journeys significant in the history of the church?  What are the last events recorded in the Book of Acts?

PAUL'S EPISTLES

Describe the Apostle Paul and give his background.  Which books of the NT did he write?  When did he write them?  Why did he write them?  What are some key themes in Paul's epistles?  Define: epistle, justification, sanctification, and glorification.  What are two competing views regarding Paul’s authorship of the epistles?  Give the date, circumstances, and theme of the Book of Romans.

What is justification by faith?  Where do we find this taught in Paul’s epistles?  What is the new perspective on Paul (e.g. Sanders and Dunn)?  What is the believer's union with Christ?  What are some biblical expressions for this reality?  What is the relation of Christ to the Spirit?  How does the believer's union with Christ relate to the new covenant?  What were some key pastoral issues Paul addresses?

THE GENERAL (CATHOLIC) EPISTLES

Which NT books make up the general epistles?  Who wrote them?  How are they different from Paul’s letters?  What issues in the Church do they address?

Who wrote Hebrews, to whom, and under what circumstances?  What is the central theme of Hebrews?  In what literary genre is Hebrews written?  How does Hebrews use warning and encouragement to appeal for perseverance?  What does the Book of Hebrews say about the old and new covenants?   

Who is James and to whom does he write?  Specify unique literary characteristics of James.  Does James view of faith and works ultimately contradict Paul’s teaching on this subject?  Explain the relation between James and wisdom literature. 

When and why did Peter write his epistles?  What comfort does Peter offer to his suffering friends?  Explain the relation between 2 Peter 2 and Jude.  Who was John?  What is the “New Commandment” and what does John say about it?

THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH

Define apocalypse.  Who wrote the Book of Revelation?  When?  Why?  Describe and explain the different theories of how to interpret Revelation.  What is the biblical vision for heaven?  Give biblical ref.  What are some OT allusions in Rev 20-22?  What are the new heavens and new earth?  What will they be like (e.g. life with God, renewal of physical creation, resurrection bodies, great beauty and joy, etc.)?  Describe and explain the relation between the new heavens and new earth to:  the whole biblical story, the progression of covenants, the Immanuel Principle, the life and work of Jesus Christ, the "now and not yet" of the kingdom of God, and the new creation.

Be prepared to identify the following on a map:  Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Caesarea Philippi.  Also, Antioch, Galatia, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Ephesus, Corinth, Colossae, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Rome.

CUMULATIVE (not essay questions)

Trace the relation of the themes of creation, new creation in Christ, and the new heavens and new earth from OT to NT.

Be prepared to briefly sketch God's relationship to his people through the OT covenants, showing how they are fulfilled in the new covenant.

Briefly sketch the Passover and Hebrew sacrificial system and how Jesus Christ fulfills it.   How does Jesus fulfill the OT picture of Messiah?

Succinctly show the connections between the call of justice for God's people, from the Mosaic law, to the prophets, and into the NT.